🎯 Overview
Publishing a Cloud Stack is a great first step, but it is only one signal. If the authority bar in OTTO shows a low number (for example, 7) for a local contractor such as a concrete company in Raleigh, NC, that is common for newer or smaller sites. Authority grows as your site earns more quality links and mentions over time. This article explains what to do next.
📊 What the Authority Bar Tells You
The authority bar gives you a quick view of how strong your site's link profile looks compared with other sites. It is a directional indicator, not a ranking guarantee. A few points to keep in mind:
- Authority usually rises gradually. One Cloud Stack will not move it dramatically.
- Quality matters more than quantity. A few relevant local links beat many unrelated ones.
- For local contractors, ranking in your service area depends on relevance, proximity, and reviews as well as authority.
🧱 Step 1: Make Sure Your Site Is Ready
Links work best when your site gives visitors and search engines something worth linking to. Before you build more links, check these basics:
- Each core service has its own page (for example, driveways, patios, foundations, stamped concrete).
- Service pages mention your city and nearby areas, such as Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Wake Forest.
- Your business name, address, and phone number are clearly shown and match your other listings.
- You have a project gallery with real photos and short descriptions.
Use OTTO to review and apply on-page recommendations so your pages are optimized for the links you are about to earn.
📍 Step 2: Build Local Trust Signals
Local signals support both authority and local rankings. Start with the most reliable ones:
- Google Business Profile: Claim and complete it. Add services, photos, and your service area, and keep it updated.
- Consistent business listings: Add your business to respected directories and make sure the name, address, and phone number are identical everywhere.
- Reviews: Ask happy customers for reviews after each completed job. Reply to every review.
- Local associations: Join and get listed with groups such as your local chamber of commerce, a builders or home builders association, or industry bodies for concrete contractors.
🔗 Step 3: Earn Relevant Backlinks
Backlinks from real, relevant websites are the biggest driver of authority. Good options for a local contractor include:
- Local sponsorships: Sponsor a youth sports team, charity event, or community project. Many organizations link to sponsors from their websites.
- Supplier and partner links: Ask suppliers, manufacturers, or partner trades (landscapers, builders, remodelers, and so on) whether they list preferred contractors.
- Local news and community sites: Share newsworthy projects, milestones, or community work with local outlets and blogs.
- Project features: If a homeowner, designer, or builder shares your work, ask them to link to your site.
- Unlinked mentions: If your business is mentioned online without a link, politely ask the site owner to add one.
Avoid buying large bundles of low-quality links or using link schemes. They can harm your site more than help it.
✍️ Step 4: Publish Content People Want to Link To
Helpful content attracts links naturally and supports your Cloud Stacks. Ideas for a concrete contractor:
- A local cost guide, such as what a concrete driveway typically costs in the Raleigh area.
- Seasonal advice, such as how North Carolina weather affects concrete and when to pour.
- Before-and-after project stories with photos.
- Answers to common questions about permits, curing time, and sealing.
Share each piece with local partners, on social media, and in your Google Business Profile posts so more people see it.
☁️ Step 5: Keep Using Cloud Stacks Strategically
A Cloud Stack works best as part of a steady plan. Consider:
- Publishing additional Cloud Stacks that point to different service pages, not only your homepage.
- Spacing them out over time rather than all at once.
- Keeping the topics relevant to your services and location.
📈 Step 6: Track Progress and Set Expectations
Authority changes take time. Links need to be discovered and processed before the bar updates, which can take several weeks or longer. Rather than watching only the number, track:
- Rankings for your main local keywords (for example, "concrete contractor Raleigh NC").
- Calls, form fills, and direction requests from your Google Business Profile.
- The number of new quality links and mentions each month.
A realistic goal is steady month-over-month improvement, not a specific number by a set date.
✅ Quick Action Checklist
- Review and apply OTTO recommendations on your key service pages.
- Complete your Google Business Profile and request reviews.
- Submit your business to trusted local directories with consistent details.
- Pursue three to five relevant local links (sponsorships, suppliers, associations).
- Publish one helpful local content piece per month.
- Add more Cloud Stacks pointing to different service pages over time.
- Check your authority and rankings monthly.
💬 Need More Help?
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.